My Cockatiel does this thing that looks like she's yawning, is this normal?

Question

She does it randomly, and when it happens she does it like 10-20 times. I've had her for 6 years and she's always done it, and when I take her to the vet I always forget to ask. Do I need to be worried?

Answer 1

Well, I'm sure there may be multiple reasons that could cause a bird to yawn. There are two main reasons I am aware of. Some birds, which I think is in your case, yawn as a sign of comfort. When the bird is at ease, it yawns as possibly even as a habit. Other birds appear to be yawning, but actually have something caught in their throats. My birds yawn occasionally when they've been grooming and got a little feather stuck or tickling their throats.

I'm sure your bird is just yawning out of comfort, which is good that she is comfortable! But, just to make sure, try to ask your vet next time. You could even write on a little reminder sheet a list of questions you want to ask the vet. Bring it to the vet, and then you've got all the questions on hand so you'll know not to forget! Then you won't leave and think in your mind "Oh gosh, I knew I forgot something!"

Answer 2

James Harris, DVM, states: "FOREIGN MATERIAL in the throat such as dust or food will produce a yawn-like action. Any inflammation of the area, including infections, might prompt this open-beak action, too. However, birds also yawn, just like we do. In fact, you can induce a yawn by gently massaging a bird's ears and stimulating the eustachian tubes (the connection from the middle ear to the throat).

If your bird rarely yawns and appears normal in all other respects, you probably need not be concerned. However, if he is yawning frequently, with or without other symptoms, it's time to take him to your avian veterinarian for an examination."
http://www.parrotchronicles.com/departments/yawning_askdrharris.htm

Answer 3

cockatiels want time to conform with their new abode, it could take from one week to a month or so, it incredibly relies upon on the chicken as all of them have different personaltities like human beings,whilst they yawn, they frequently are doing only that, or cleansing their crop(a pouch for foodstuff of their throat) The "chewing on not something" is suggested as beak grinding, which maximum tiel's do whilst they're content fabric, or sleepy,my first tiel cosmo didnt consume or drink whilst i develop into gazing him for the 1st week,the only thank you to be attentive to if he's eating and conserving weight is to weight him on a kitchen scale,adigital one preferrably, The crest status up capacity they're excited or alarmed by utilising something, a comfortable crest place is up slightly off the pinnacle,an agressive crest place is laying each of how flat on the pinnacle. pelleted foodstuff is nice to grant birds besides with clean end result and vegetables, yet do not under any situations supply them avocado,eggplant,cherries with the PIT nonetheless in,or the different pitted fruit(they incorporate Cyanide Posion) or chocolate. in case you do feed them pellets, dont swap over to them immediatley, slowly wean your chicken off of seeds or it is going to maximum in all probability starve to dying.

Answer 4

What you've described is 'gaping'. That's what it's called when a bird yawns.

It is normal for this once in a while but if your tiel is continuing to do this then you must take her to the vet. Continual gaping is not normal in parrots & can be a sign something is wrong.

Answer 5

Usually they do this when in an affectionate mood. If you encourage them by yawning back, they may start to make gagging sounds in preparation to regurgitate. Some people report their birds actually regurgitating on them, trying to feed them. Birds do this with their mates and their chicks, and associate it with love. Personally, I don't encourage it that far. Just the gesture is cute, though.

Answer 6

Yes. It is simply yawning. I have a pet duck that does the same thing.

Answer 7

no. she's either yawning or just being a bird. i have an amazon that does the same thing. she sometimes does it when she's learning a word, or just when she's yawning. birds are quirky little things.

Answer 8

My birds do that as well and they've never had any health problems. I think they actually are yawning.

Answer 9

My tiel does it. My wife says he is adjusting his craw.

Answer 10

That's all it is is yawning.
It means they are content.